U.S. patent number 9,407,046 [Application Number 14/713,697] was granted by the patent office on 2016-08-02 for electrical connector assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tyco Electronics Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Tyco Electronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Alan Weir Bucher.
United States Patent |
9,407,046 |
Bucher |
August 2, 2016 |
Electrical connector assembly
Abstract
An electrical connector assembly includes a cage member having a
plurality of walls defining an upper port and a lower port for
pluggable modules. The walls define side walls along sides of the
upper and lower ports. The walls are manufactured from a metal
material and providing electrical shielding for the upper port and
the lower port. The walls define a port separator extending between
the side walls below at least one of the upper port and the lower
port. The port separator has an upper plate and a lower plate
extending between the side walls of the cage member. The port
separator has a plurality of channel walls extending between the
upper plate and the lower plate to divide the port separator into a
plurality of channels. The channels are open at a front and a rear
of the port separator to direct airflow through the port
separator.
Inventors: |
Bucher; Alan Weir (Manheim,
PA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tyco Electronics Corporation |
Berwyn |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Tyco Electronics Corporation
(Berwyn, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
56506891 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/713,697 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/659 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/648 (20060101); H01R 13/659 (20110101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trans; Xuong Chung
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a cage member
having a plurality of walls defining an upper port and a lower port
configured to receive pluggable modules therein, the plurality of
walls defining side walls along sides of the upper and lower ports,
the walls being manufactured from a metal material and providing
electrical shielding for the upper port and the lower port; and the
plurality of walls defining a port separator extending between the
side walls along at least one of the upper port and the lower port,
the port separator having an upper plate and a lower plate
extending between the side walls of the cage member, the port
separator having a plurality of channel walls extending between the
upper plate and the lower plate to divide the port separator into a
plurality of channels, the channels being open at a front and a
rear of the port separator to direct airflow through the port
separator.
2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the
channels define thermal vents through the cage member to allow
airflow entirely through the cage member.
3. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the
airflow in the channels cools the channel walls, the side walls,
the upper plate and the lower plate by convection.
4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the
channels have variable widths along lengths thereof defined between
the front and the rear of the port separator.
5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein portions
of the channel walls are oriented parallel to the side walls.
6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of
the channels have air inlets and air outlets, the air inlets being
provided at the front or the rear of the port separator, the air
outlets being provided at the other of the front or the rear of the
port separator.
7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the upper plate and the lower plate is configured to be in
direct thermal communication with the pluggable module associated
with one of the upper port or the lower port, the channel walls
being thermally coupled to the upper plate and the lower plate.
8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper
plate is configured to be in direct thermal communication with the
pluggable module associated with the upper port, the lower plate is
configured to be in direct thermal communication with the pluggable
module associated with the lower port, the channel walls being
thermally coupled to the upper plate and the lower plate.
9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the
channel walls have convergent sections that change a spacing
between the channel walls.
10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, further
comprising a communication connector disposed within the cage
member at a rear end of the cage member and positioned to mate with
the pluggable modules when the pluggable modules are inserted into
the upper and lower ports, portions of the channels passing between
the communication connector and the corresponding side walls.
11. The electrical connector assembly of claim 10, wherein multiple
channels pass between the communication connector and each side
wall.
12. The electrical connector assembly of claim 10, wherein at least
one of the channel walls defines a diverter wall to divert the
airflow from a front of the communication connector to a side of
the communication connector or vice versa.
13. The electrical connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the
channel walls have module segments near the front of the port
separator and connector segments near the rear of the port
separator, the module segments being generally aligned with the
pluggable module, the connector segments being generally aligned
with the communication connector.
14. The electrical connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the
plurality of walls define port flanks extending between the side
walls and the corresponding upper port or the lower port, each port
flank having a plurality of channel walls dividing the port flank
into a plurality of channels being open at a front end of the cage
member and being open at the rear end of the cage member to direct
airflow through the cage member, portions of the channels of the
port flanks passing between the communication connector and the
corresponding side walls.
15. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the upper plate and lower plate includes a plurality of
thermal interface features configured to be in direct thermal
communication with the adjacent pluggable module.
16. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the port
separator defines an upper port separator positioned between the
upper port and the lower port, the plurality of walls defining a
lower port separator below the lower port, the lower port separator
having an upper plate and a lower plate extending between the side
walls of the cage member, the lower port separator having a
plurality of channel walls extending between the upper plate and
the lower plate to divide the lower port separator into a plurality
of channels, the channels being open at a front and a rear of the
lower port separator to direct airflow through the lower port
separator.
17. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a cage member
having a plurality of walls defining an upper port and a lower port
configured to receive pluggable modules therein, the plurality of
walls defining side walls along sides of the upper and lower ports,
the walls being manufactured from a metal material and providing
electrical shielding for the upper port and the lower port; the
plurality of walls defining a lower port separator extending
between the side walls along the lower port, the lower port
separator having an upper plate and a lower plate extending between
the side walls of the cage member, the lower port separator having
a plurality of channel walls extending between the upper plate and
the lower plate to divide the lower port separator into a plurality
of channels, the channels being open at a front and a rear of the
lower port separator to direct airflow through the lower port
separator; and the plurality of walls defining an upper port
separator extending between the side walls along the upper port,
the upper port separator having an upper plate and a lower plate
extending between the side walls of the cage member, the upper port
separator having a plurality of channel walls extending between the
upper plate and the lower plate to divide the upper port separator
into a plurality of channels, the channels being open at a front
and a rear of the upper port separator to direct airflow through
the upper port separator.
18. The electrical connector assembly of claim 17, further
comprising a communication connector disposed within the cage
member at a rear end of the cage member and positioned to mate with
the pluggable modules when the pluggable modules are inserted into
the upper and lower ports, portions of the channels passing between
the communication connector and the corresponding side walls.
19. The electrical connector assembly of claim 18, wherein multiple
channels pass between the communication connector and each side
wall.
20. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a cage member
having a plurality of walls defining an upper port and a lower port
configured to receive pluggable modules therein through a front end
of the cage member, the plurality of walls defining side walls
along sides of the upper and lower ports, the walls being
manufactured from a metal material and providing electrical
shielding for the upper port and the lower port; a communication
connector disposed within the cage member at a rear end of the cage
member and positioned to mate with the pluggable modules when the
pluggable modules are inserted into the upper and lower ports; the
plurality of walls defining a port separator extending between the
side walls along at least one of the upper port and the lower port,
the port separator having an upper plate and a lower plate
extending between the side walls of the cage member, the port
separator having a plurality of channel walls extending between the
upper plate and the lower plate to divide the port separator into a
plurality of channels, the channels being open at the front end and
the rear end of the cage member to direct airflow through the cage
member, portions of the channels passing between the communication
connector and the corresponding side walls; and the plurality of
walls defining port flanks extending between the side walls and the
corresponding upper port or the lower port, each port flank having
a plurality of channel walls dividing the port flank into a
plurality of channels being open at the front end and the rear end
of the cage member to direct airflow through the cage member with
portions of the channels passing between the communication
connector and the corresponding side walls.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connector
assemblies for high speed fiber optical and copper
communications.
It is known to provide a metal cage with a plurality of ports,
whereby transceiver modules are pluggable therein. Several
pluggable module designs and standards have been introduced in
which a pluggable module plugs into a receptacle which is
electronically connected to a host circuit board. For example, a
well-known type of transceiver developed by an industry consortium
is known as a gigabit interface converter (GBIC) or serial optical
converter (SOC) and provides an interface between a computer and a
data communication network such as Ethernet or a fiber network.
These standards offer a generally robust design which has been well
received in industry.
It is desirable to increase the operating frequency of the network
connections. Electrical connector systems that are used at
increased operating speeds present a number of design problems,
particularly in applications in which data transmission rates are
high, e.g., in the range above 10 Gbps (Gigabits/second). One
concern with such systems is reducing electromagnetic interference
(EMI) emissions. Another concern is reducing operating temperatures
of the transceivers.
In conventional designs, thermal cooling is achieved by using a
heat sink and/or airflow over the shielding metal cage surrounding
the receptacles. However, the thermal cooling provided by
conventional designs is proving to be inadequate, particularly for
the transceivers in the lower row of a stacked configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, an electrical connector assembly is provided
including a cage member having a plurality of walls defining an
upper port and a lower port configured to receive pluggable modules
therein. The walls define side walls along sides of the upper and
lower ports. The walls are manufactured from a metal material and
provide electrical shielding for the upper port and the lower port.
The walls define a port separator extending between the side walls
below at least one of the upper port and the lower port. The port
separator has an upper plate and a lower plate extending between
the side walls of the cage member. The port separator has a
plurality of channel walls extending between the upper plate and
the lower plate to divide the port separator into a plurality of
channels. The channels are open at a front and a rear of the port
separator to direct airflow through the port separator.
In a further embodiment, an electrical connector assembly is
provided including a cage member having a plurality of walls
defining an upper port and a lower port configured to receive
pluggable modules therein. The walls define side walls along sides
of the upper and lower ports. The walls are manufactured from a
metal material and provide electrical shielding for the upper port
and the lower port. The walls define a lower port separator
extending between the side walls below the lower port. The lower
port separator has an upper plate and a lower plate extending
between the side walls of the cage member. The lower port separator
has a plurality of channel walls extending between the upper plate
and the lower plate to divide the lower port separator into a
plurality of channels. The channels are open at a front and a rear
of the lower port separator to direct airflow through the lower
port separator. The walls define an upper port separator extending
between the side walls between the upper port and the lower port.
The upper port separator has an upper plate and a lower plate
extending between the side walls of the cage member. The upper port
separator has a plurality of channel walls extending between the
upper plate and the lower plate to divide the upper port separator
into a plurality of channels. The channels are open at a front and
a rear of the upper port separator to direct airflow through the
upper port separator.
In a further embodiment, an electrical connector assembly is
provided including a cage member having a plurality of walls
defining an upper port and a lower port configured to receive
pluggable modules therein through a front end of the cage member.
The walls define side walls along sides of the upper and lower
ports. The walls are manufactured from a metal material and provide
electrical shielding for the upper port and the lower port. A
communication connector is disposed within the cage member at a
rear end of the cage member and positioned to mate with the
pluggable modules when the pluggable modules are inserted into the
upper and lower ports. The walls define a port separator extending
between the side walls below at least one of the upper port and the
lower port. The port separator has an upper plate and a lower plate
extending between the side walls of the cage member. The port
separator has a plurality of channel walls extending between the
upper plate and the lower plate to divide the port separator into a
plurality of channels. The channels are open at the front end and
the rear end of the cage member to direct airflow through the cage
member. Portions of the channels pass between the communication
connector and the corresponding side walls. The walls define port
flanks extending between the side walls and the corresponding upper
port or the lower port. Each port flank has a plurality of channel
walls dividing the port flank into a plurality of channels being
open at the front end and the rear end of the cage member to direct
airflow through the cage member with portions of the channels
passing between the communication connector and the corresponding
side walls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electrical connector
assembly formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a communication connector of
the electrical connector assembly shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pluggable module
for use with electrical connector assembly shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the electrical connector
assembly showing a port separator thereof.
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the electrical connector
assembly showing port flanks thereof.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the electrical connector assembly showing
the port separators and port flanks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electrical connector
assembly 100 formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The
electrical connector assembly 100 includes a cage member 102 and a
communication connector 104 received in the cage member 102.
Pluggable modules 106 are configured to be loaded into the cage
member 102 for mating with the communication connector 104. The
communication connector 104 is intended for placement on a circuit
board, such as a motherboard, and is arranged within the cage
member 102 for mating engagement with the pluggable modules
106.
The cage member 102 is a shielding, stamped and formed cage member
that includes a plurality of shield walls 108 that define multiple
ports 110, 112 for receipt of the pluggable modules 106. In the
illustrated embodiment, the cage member 102 constitutes a stacked
cage member having the ports 110, 112 in a stacked configuration.
The port 110 defines an upper port positioned above the port 112
and may be referred to hereinafter as upper port 110. The port 112
defines a lower port positioned below the port 110 and may be
referred to hereinafter as lower port 112. Any number of ports may
be provided in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated
embodiment, the cage member 102 includes the ports 110, 112
arranged in a single column, however, the cage member 102 may
include multiple columns of ports 110, 112 in alternative
embodiments (for example, 2.times.2, 3.times.2, 4.times.2,
4.times.3, etc.). In other alternative embodiments, the cage member
102 may include a single port or may include ports arranged in a
single row (for example, non-stacked).
The cage member 102 includes a top wall 114, a lower wall 116, a
rear wall 118 and side walls 120, 122, which together define the
general enclosure or outer perimeter for the cage member 102.
Optionally, at least a portion of the lower wall 116 may be open to
allow the communication connector 104 to interface with the circuit
board. In an exemplary embodiment, the shield walls 108 may include
a plurality of airflow openings or channels to allow airflow
therethrough, such as from front to back, back to front and/or side
to side. The airflow openings help cool the shield walls 108, the
ports 110, 112 and/or the pluggable modules 106. The airflow
openings may have any size and shape. In an exemplary embodiment,
the size, shape, spacing and/or positioning of the airflow openings
may be selected with consideration to thermal performance,
shielding performance (e.g. electromagnetic interference (EMI)
shielding), electrical performance, or other design
considerations.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cage member 102 includes port
flanks 124 on opposite sides of the ports 110, 112. The port flanks
124 are positioned between the ports 110, 112 and the corresponding
side walls 120, 122. The port flanks 124 have openings or channels
126 defined by channel walls 128 that define thermal vents through
the cage member 102 to allow airflow entirely through the cage
member 102. The port flanks 124 provide airflow through the cage
member 102 for cooling the components of the electrical connector
assembly 100. For example, the airflow through the port flanks 124
may cool the walls 108 defining the port flanks 124 and/or the
ports 110, 112, which may transfer heat from the pluggable modules
106 and/or the communication connector 104.
The cage member 102 is subdivided by one or more port separators
130, 132. The port separators 130, 132 extend along the ports 110,
112 (for example, either above the corresponding port 110, 112 or
below the corresponding port 110, 112). In the illustrated
embodiment, the cage member 102 includes an upper port separator
130 below the upper port 110 and a lower port separator 132 below
the lower port 112. The upper port separator 130 is positioned
between the upper and lower ports 110, 112 such that the upper port
separator 130 defines a lower portion of the upper port 110 and an
upper portion of the lower port 112. The lower port separator 132
is positioned between the lower port 112 and the circuit board. The
port separators 130, 132 are open to allow airflow through the cage
member 102. The cage member 102 may include any number of port
separators in alternative embodiments, including a single port
separator. In various embodiments, a port separator (not shown) may
be provided above the upper port 110. The channels or openings
defined by the port separators 130, 132 define thermal vents
through the cage member 102 to allow airflow entirely through the
cage member 102. The port separators 130, 132 provide pathways for
airflow through the cage member 102 for cooling the components of
the electrical connector assembly 100, such as by convection. For
example, the airflow through the port separators 130, 132 may cool
the walls 108 defining the port separators 130, 132 and/or the
ports 110, 112, which may transfer heat from the pluggable modules
106 and/or the communication connector 104.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the communication connector
104. The communication connector 104 includes a housing 200 defined
by an upstanding body portion 202 having sides 204, 206, a lower
face 208 configured to be mounted to the motherboard, and a mating
face 210. Upper and lower extension portions 212 and 214 extend
from the body portion 202 to define the mating face 210. A recessed
face 216 is defined between the upper and lower extension portions
212, 214 at the front face of the body portion 202.
Circuit card receiving slots 220 and 222 extend inwardly from the
mating face 210 of each of the respective upper and lower extension
portions 212, 214, and extend inwardly to the body portion 202. The
circuit card receiving slots 220, 222 are configured to receive a
card edge of the pluggable module 106 (shown in FIG. 3). A
plurality of contacts 224 are held by the housing 200 and are
exposed within the circuit card receiving slots 220, 222 for mating
with the corresponding pluggable module 106. The contacts 224
extend from the lower face 208 for termination to the motherboard.
For example, the ends of the contacts 224 may constitute pins that
are loaded into plated vias of the motherboard. Alternatively, the
contacts 224 may be terminated to the motherboard in another
manner, such as by surface mounting to the motherboard.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the pluggable module
106 for use with electrical connector assembly 100 (shown in FIG.
1). In the illustrated embodiment, the pluggable module 106
constitutes a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) module; however
other types of pluggable modules or transceivers may be used in
alternative embodiments. The pluggable module 106 includes a metal
body or shell 230 holding a circuit card 232 at a mating end 234
thereof for interconnection into one of the slots 220 or 222 (shown
in FIG. 2). The pluggable module 106 would further include an
electrical interconnection within the module to an interface at end
236, such as a copper interface in the way of a modular jack, or to
a fiber optic connector for further interfacing. The pluggable
module 106 may include thermal interface features 238 configured to
provide a thermal interface with the cage member 102 (shown in FIG.
1), such as for direct thermal contact or communication with the
corresponding port separator 130, 132 (shown in FIG. 1). The
thermal interface features 238 may be fins extending from the shell
230. The pluggable module may include a latching feature for
securing the pluggable module 106 in the cage member 102. The
latching feature may be releasable for extraction of the pluggable
module 106. Other types of pluggable modules or transceivers may be
utilized in alternative embodiments.
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the electrical connector
assembly 100 taken through the upper port separator 130; however
the lower port separator 132 may include similar or identical
features and like reference numerals may be used to reference like
components thereof. The port separator 130 is defined by the walls
108 of the cage member 102. The port separator 130 extends between
a front 134 and a rear 135. The port separator 130 has an upper
plate 136 (shown in FIG. 6, the upper plate 136 of the lower port
separator 132 is shown in FIG. 4) and a lower plate 138 extending
between the side walls 120, 122. The upper and lower plates 136,
138 are spaced apart from one another defining an air gap
therebetween that allows airflow through the cage member 102
between the front 134 and the rear 135. The upper and lower plates
136 may define portions of the corresponding ports 110, 112.
The port separator 130 has a plurality of channel walls 140
extending between the upper plate 136 and the lower plate 138 to
divide the port separator 130 into a plurality of channels 142. In
an exemplary embodiment, the channel walls 140 are oriented
vertically; however the channels walls 140 may be oriented at other
orientations, including horizontally, in alternative embodiments.
In an exemplary embodiment, the channel walls 140 are interior of
the walls 108 of the cage member 102. As such, the channels 142 are
interior of the cage member 102. The channels 142 are open at the
front 134 and the rear 135 of the port separator 130 to direct
airflow through the port separator 130. The channel walls 140
divide the air gap of the port separator 130 into the individual
channels 142. Optionally, the channel walls 140 may extend the
entire length between the front 134 and the rear 135 of the port
separator 130. Alternatively, any or all of the channel walls 140
may extend only partially between the front 134 and the rear 135.
The channel walls 140 may be recessed inward from the front 134
and/or from the rear 135. Optionally, the channels 142 may have
variable widths 144 along lengths thereof defined between the front
134 and the rear 135 of the port separator 130. For example, in the
illustrated embodiment, portions of the channel walls 140 near the
front 134 and near the rear 135 are oriented parallel to the side
walls 120, 122, but the channel walls 140 include convergent
sections 146 that change spacings 148 between the channel walls
140. As such, the channels 142 may be wider at the front 134 and
narrower at the rear 135. Other arrangements are possible in
alternative embodiments. Having variable width channels 142 may
affect flow rate of the airflow in the channels 142.
In an exemplary embodiment, each of the channels 142 has an air
inlet 150 and an air outlet 152. The airflow system may be set up
such that the air flows from the front of the cage member 102 to
the rear of the cage member 102. In such embodiments, the air
inlets 150 are provided at a front end 154 of the cage member 102
while the air outlets 152 are provided at a rear end 156 of the
cage member 102. However, the airflow system may be set up such
that the air flows in the opposite direction from the rear end 156
of the cage member 102 to the front end 154 of the cage member 102.
Optionally, the cage member 102 may have EMI reducers at the air
inlet 150 and/or the air outlet 152. For example, the cage member
102 may include cross members that span across the channels 142 to
reduce the size of the openings at the air inlet 150 and/or the air
outlet 152.
The communication connector 104 is disposed within the cage member
102 at the rear end 156 of the cage member 102 and positioned to
mate with the pluggable modules 106 when the pluggable modules 106
are inserted into the ports 110 (shown in FIG. 1), 112. In an
exemplary embodiment, portions of the channels 142 pass between the
communication connector 104 and the corresponding side walls 120,
122. Optionally, multiple channels 142 pass between the
communication connector 104 and each side wall 120, 122.
Optionally, at least one of the channel walls 140 defines a
diverter wall 158 to divert the airflow from a front 226 of the
communication connector 104 to the corresponding side 204, 206 of
the communication connector 104 or vice versa. The diverter walls
158 ensure that the airflow does not flow into the front 226 of the
communication connector 104, which would cause a pressure loss in
the airflow. The channel walls 140 transition the airflow from the
center of the port separator 130 to the outer sides of the port
separator 130 (for example, the small space between the
communication connector 104 and the side walls 120, 122) to allow
the airflow to bypass the communication connector 104. The airflow
flows along the sides 204, 206 and is expelled at the rear end 156.
The channel walls 140 provide smooth transitions for the airflow to
reduce flow resistance.
The channel walls 140 have module segments 160 near the front 134
of the port separator 130 and connector segments 162 near the rear
135 of the port separator 130. The convergent sections 146 may
transition between the module segments 160 and the connector
segments 162. The convergent sections 146 may form part of the
module segments 160 and/or part of the connector segments 162. The
module segments 160 are generally aligned (for example, aligned
front to back) with the pluggable module 106 while the connector
segments 162 are generally aligned (for example, aligned front to
back) with the communication connector 104. The spacing 148 between
the module segments 160 may be wider than the spacing 148 between
the connector segments 162 as the connector segments 162 must pass
through the small space between the communication connector 104 and
the side walls 120, 122.
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the electrical connector
assembly 100 taken through the port flanks 124. The port flanks 124
are defined by the walls 108 of the cage member 102. The port
flanks 124 extend between the front end 154 and the rear end 156.
The port flanks 124 may be positioned above or below the port
separators 130. The port flanks 124 extend along opposite sides
240, 242 of the shell 230 of the pluggable module 106. The channel
walls 128 of the port flanks 124 may extend between the upper plate
136 of the lower port separator 132 and the lower plate 138 (shown
in FIG. 6) of the upper port separator 130 (shown in FIG. 6) to
divide the port flanks 124 into the individual channels 126. The
channels 126 are open at the front end 154 and the rear end 156 to
direct airflow through the cage member 102. Optionally, the channel
walls 128 may extend the entire length between the front end 154
and the rear end 156. Optionally, the channels 126 may have uniform
widths along lengths thereof. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, the channel walls 128 are oriented parallel to the side
walls 120, 122; however other orientations are possible in
alternative embodiments.
The port flanks 124 provide pathways for airflow along the
pluggable module 106 and along the communication connector 104. The
airflow is used for heat dissipation from the pluggable module 106
and/or the communication connector 104. Connector portions of the
channels 126 pass between the communication connector 104 and the
corresponding side walls 120, 122. Module portions of the channels
126 pass between the pluggable module 106 and the corresponding
side walls 120, 122. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple channels
126 pass between the communication connector 104/pluggable module
106 and each side wall 120, 122. The channel walls 128 are in
thermal communication with corresponding plates 136, 138 of the
port separators 130, 132 to dissipate heat from the system as the
air flows past the channel walls 128.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the electrical connector assembly 100.
The pluggable modules 106 are shown loaded into the cage member
102. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper plate 136 of each port
separator 130, 132 is configured to be in direct thermal contact or
communication with the pluggable module 106 associated with the
upper port 110 and the lower port 112, respectively. For example,
the port separators 130, 132 have thermal interface features 170
that interface with corresponding thermal interface features 238 of
the pluggable modules 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the
thermal interface features 170 are fins with grooves defined
therebetween that extend from the upper plates 136. The thermal
interface features 238 are received in corresponding grooves such
that the fins 170 are in direct thermal engagement with the thermal
interface features 238. The lower plates 138 may be in direct
thermal communication with corresponding pluggable modules 106 in
other embodiments. Having the various walls and plates in thermal
communication with the pluggable modules 106 allows efficient heat
dissipation from the pluggable modules 106 as the heat may be
transferred into any or all of the walls/plates, which may then be
cooled by airflow across the walls/plates.
Other arrangements of the port separators 130, 132 are possible in
alternative embodiments. For example, while the port separators
130, 132 are illustrated below the ports 110, 112, respectively, it
is possible that the port separators 130, 132 are arranged above
the ports 110, 112, respectively, in alternative embodiments.
Optionally, only one port separator 130 may be provided between the
ports 110, 112 without the lower port separator 132 in various
embodiments. In other various embodiments, three port separators
may be provided (for example, one above the upper port 110, one
between the ports 110, 112 and one below the lower port 112). Other
arrangements are possible when other ports are provided.
Optionally, in embodiments having multiple columns of ports 110,
112 (For example, 2.times.2, 2.times.4, etc.), the walls 108 of the
cage member 102 may include a single divider wall between such
ports 110, 112. The channels 126, 142 of the port flanks 124 and
port separators 130 are located between the divider wall and the
pluggable modules 106. Optionally, the cage member 102 may include
a common upper wall and a common lower wall extending along all of
the ports 110, 112.
During use, the pluggable modules 106 generate heat. It is
desirable to remove the heat generated by the pluggable modules 106
so that the pluggable modules 106 can operate at higher performance
levels. The heat generated by the pluggable modules 106 is
thermally transferred to the cage member 102. Airflow along the
walls 108 (for example, along the plates 136, 138, along the
channel walls 128, along the channel walls 140, along the side
walls 120, 122, and the like) cools the cage member 102, allowing
more heat transfer from the pluggable modules 106. The airflow
through the cage member 102 may be forced, such as by a fan or
other component mounted proximate to the cage member 102. The
airflow helps to reduce the temperature of the pluggable modules
106.
The thermal efficiency of the cage member 102, and thus the amount
of heat transfer from a particular port 110, 112, is at least
partially dependent on the amount of airflow through the cage
member 102. Providing the channels 126 and the channels 142 between
and around the ports, including the lower port 112, increases the
amount of heat transfer from the pluggable modules 106. Optionally,
the side walls 120, 122 may include openings or vents that allow
airflow therethrough. The channel walls 128, 140 may include
openings or vents to allow airflow between the channels 126,
142.
Direct heat transfer into the walls 108 of the cage member 102
allows efficient heat transfer from the pluggable module 106. The
channel walls 140 are thermally coupled to the upper plates 136 to
draw heat therefrom. Similarly, the channel walls 128 of the port
flanks 124 are thermally coupled to the upper plates 136 to draw
heat therefrom. The airflow through the channels 142 of the port
separators 130, 132 and through the channels 126 of the port flanks
124 cools the cage member 102. The channels 126, 142 promote
venting and/or cooling of the interior of the chassis where the
electrical connector assembly 100 and printed circuit board are
located. Optionally, the lower plate 138 of the upper port
separator 130 is configured to be in direct thermal contact with
the pluggable module 106 associated with the lower port 112 to
dissipate heat from the pluggable module 106 in the lower port 112.
The channel walls 140 are thermally coupled to the lower plate 138
to draw heat from the lower plate 138.
In some embodiments, the thermal vents created by the channels 126,
142 may encompass at least 50% of the surface area defined by the
front end 154 of the cage member 102. In some embodiments, the
thermal vents may encompass at least 75% or more of the surface
area. For example, the port separators 130, 132 may have a larger
width and/or height as compared to the ports 110, 112.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be
illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described
embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination
with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of
materials, orientations of the various components, and the number
and positions of the various components described herein are
intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no
means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other
embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing
the above description. The scope of the invention should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective
terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following
claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the
following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and
are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112(f),
unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase
"means for" followed by a statement of function void of further
structure.
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